When Lebanon Valley College and Elizabethtown College woke up to recruitment fliers for white supremacist organizations spread across campus, people wondered what was attracting racists to central Pennsylvania colleges.

But according to information gathered by the Anti-Defamation League, the anti-minority recruiting efforts may be part of a larger trend.

White supremacists have been rapidly accelerating their youth movement, visiting more than 300 colleges – including 18 in Pennsylvania – since the fall of 2016, according to the ADL.

The tally includes two incidents at local colleges, ADL officials confirmed. Posters were distributed at Annville's Lebanon Valley College in November 2016 with the message, “Are you sick of anti-white propaganda at college?” and encouraging people to visit therightstuff.biz website.

In the second incident, a trespasser distributed fliers and stickers at Elizabethtown College in September 2017 on behalf of white supremacist group Identity Evropa.

The racist efforts sparked fear and determination among students, while college leadership scrambled to defend their commitment to diversity on campus. But LVC and Etown aren’t alone. Here’s why.

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Hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College participated in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College participated in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College participated in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College participated in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College participated in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College participated in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College participated in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College participated in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College participated in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College participated in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College participated in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Students embrace at the end of a march against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College participated in the march to stand up against an incident that happened earlier in the week when a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College participated in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College gather in front of the Women's Services and Gender Resource Center after participating in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College gather in front of the Women's Services and Gender Resource Center after participating in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College gather in front of the Women's Services and Gender Resource Center after participating in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College gather in front of the Women's Services and Gender Resource Center after participating in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Dr. Lewis Thayne, president of Lebanon Valley College, speaks to hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College whom participated in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College gather in front of the Women's Services and Gender Resource Center after participating in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Tamara Baldwin, a junior from Levittown and event organizer, addresses the hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College whom participated in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Tamara Baldwin, a junior from Levittown and event organizer, addresses the hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College whom participated in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College gather in front of the Women's Services and Gender Resource Center after participating in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College gather in front of the Women's Services and Gender Resource Center after participating in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College participated in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College participated in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College participated in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Dr. Lewis Thayne, president of Lebanon Valley College, addresses hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College participated in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Dr. Lewis Thayne, president of Lebanon Valley College, addresses hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College participated in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College participated in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College participated in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College gather in the social quad before participating in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College participated in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center. (Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Who spreads white supremacist literature on college campuses?

The culprits at Elizabethtown College were caught on camera and identified as two men who spread similar fliers at Millersville University, said Andrew Powell, director of campus security, in a statement from the college. The men were not affiliated with either college.

The Lebanon Valley College perpetrator was never identified despite a thorough search, said chief communications officer Molly O’Brien-Foelsch.

The fliers may give the impression of a large, underground tide of hate sweeping the community.

“That can be one individual sitting in the bathroom in his bathrobe, on his printer, and it appears to the community at large … that they are being inundated by a large, powerful group.”

Nancy Baron-Baer, Anti-Defamation League

In reality, however, it may simply be one person making moves they know will attract attention, said Nancy Baron-Baer, regional director of The Anti-Defamation League Philadelphia.

“That can be one individual sitting in the bathroom in his bathrobe, on his printer, and it appears to the community at large … that they are being inundated by a large, powerful group,” Baron-Baer said.

However, Identity Evropa is an actual organization that claims to have more than 300 members.

It describes itself as a “fraternal organization for people of European heritage,” with local clubs and an active Twitter account that publicizes its campus visits. Its leaders prefer to say they are teaching white people to fight back against an “anti-white” political tide. The ADL describes it as a white supremacist group.

Identify Evropa was responsible for nearly two-thirds of the incidents in Pennsylvania and nearly half of the incidents nationwide compiled by the ADL.

Reading resident Elliott Kline, who goes by the name Eli Mosely, was the group’s nationwide leader for a short time in 2017. Identity Evropa’s next leader, Patrick Casey, said he plans to have the organization put up more campus fliers, according to the ADL.

The website advertised at Lebanon Valley College is less organized. The Right Stuff is a blog and forum for a wide-ranging discussions of alt-right views. It has been involved in 13 recorded incidents nationwide, the ADL said..

Why do they target colleges?

White supremacist groups target colleges in part because they can obtain maximal publicity with little effort, Baron-Baer said. Incidents on college campuses are almost certain to be covered by the media.

“They see (campuses) as a fertile recruiting ground,” she said.

White supremacists have long targeted college students but recently moved from only online activities to physical recruiting onsite, according to the ADL’s website.

“(They) know that reaching young people is a way to grow a movement,” the website states.

Many leaders of the alt-right movement are also quite young. Elliott Kline was just 26 when he led Identity Evropa, and James Fields, the man who reportedly drove his car into a group of counter-protesters, killing a woman, Heather Heyer, and injuring 35 others during the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville last August, was just 20 at the time.

Are their recruiting efforts working?

Lewis Thayne, president of Lebanon Valley College, addresses the crowd at the Lebanon Valley College Symposium on Inclusive Excellence on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016. FSU issued a list of 26 demands to Thayne for greater equality on campus.(Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

In some cases, yes.

"Younger people have access to much more forms of information, including propaganda, than ever before in human history—that's social media," said Oren Segal, the director of the Anti-Defamation League's Center on Extremism, in an interview with Newsweek. "They are able to exist in an online sphere, find like-minded sympathizers, communicate, creating these online subcultures where anonymity is involved and where people can be whatever they want. And within that we're seeing that some are being introduced to bigotry and hate."

Identity Evropa has an active Twitter account at which they document most of their college outreach efforts. It has more than 27,000 followers.

The social aspects of in-person alt-right meetings also draw many young people, according to the website for the Foundation for the Marketplace of Ideas, a self-described alt-right organization that brags millennials form a disproportionately large part of the movement. It touts the successful efforts in southeast Michigan, where “meetings are fun.”

Kline told Newsweek that young people are attracted to Identity Evropa because group leaders express concern about issues relevant to their daily lives, like employment and family situations.

What can colleges do in response?

Baron-Baer acknowledged that colleges face a dilemma: ignore the posters, and appear to condone their existence, or issue a response condemning bias and give a very small group of people disproportionate publicity.

This is a purposeful strategy of organizations like Identity Evropa called “triggering.” The idea is to be so intentionally offensive that someone else responds in anger, which then makes the alt-right look more acceptable in comparison, according to a recent New York Times video on Kline.

Baron-Baer believes colleges should issue “strong statements” in response to incidents so that people on campus and alumni understand this type of behavior will not be tolerated.

“We believe the best way to counter bad speech, hateful speech, is with more speech, education,” she said. “Turn what could be a lemon into lemonade.”

How have local colleges responded?

Elizabethtown College issued a no-trespassing order against the two men who put posters on their campus, and have not experienced any further incidents, according to a statement from college president Carl Strikwerda.

“We will continue to work hard to ensure our college is a safe, supportive, and non-discriminatory learning and working environment,” Strikwerda said in the statement.

Dr. Lewis Thayne, president of Lebanon Valley College, addresses hundreds of students, faculty and staff at Lebanon Valley College participated in a march to demonstrate against hate on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Earlier in the week, a racist message was written on the Women's Services and Gender Resources Center.(Photo: Jeremy Long, Lebanon Daily News)

Students at Lebanon Valley College responded to the posters – as well as racially derogatory graffiti scrawled on the college Women's Services and Gender Resource Center– by holding a protest march “against hatred.”

“We are going to do what we need to do to make this campus a place where you feel safe, where you belong and where you feel you earned your place here,” college president Lewis Thayne told the students attending the rally.

Lebanon Valley College officials have repeatedly stated their commitment to diversity, and O’Brien-Foelsch noted that hundreds of students participated in sessions devoted to diversity and equity at last month’s fifth annual Symposium on Inclusive Excellence.

“Lebanon Valley College is committed to inclusion and rejects all forms of bias. We offer programming and support services, and have policies in place, to ensure our students feel welcome and safe on our campus,” she said in a written statement.